A Quick Flick: Space Captain Smith

The cover says it all.  Flashman in space.  Space Captain Smith is a very funny, and slightly silly (in a good way) parody of all manner of adventure stories from Biggles to Sharpe with a bit of Bladerunner thrown in.

Here is a typical exchange between Smith and his alien comrade Suruk.

As Smith approached the bottom of the slope, a figure hopped down from a stool, where it had been crouching.  It was man-shaped – roughly – but stretched, taller and thinner than a human being.  The creature loped towards Smith with the weight on the front of the feet and with a slow, lay grace.

‘Suruk,’ said Smith.

A low, rattling sound came from the alien as he stepped into view. Smith saw the grey-green skin where it was not covered by his trousers, boots or armoured waistcoat, and he watched as Suruk the Slayer’s tusks slid apart and his mouth opened up.

‘Isambard Smith.’  He spoke as if through porridge.  Suruk straightened his fingers to show Smith his empty hands.

Smith pulled his sleeves back and displayed his palms as if about to pull a bunch of flowers from the air.  ‘Hail, Suruk, warrior of Clan Ametrin.  I give you this much greeting.’

‘Hail, Isambard Smith, who is called Mazuran in the speech of the M’Lak.  I give you greeting too.’

There was a little pause.  Smith smiled awkwardly.  ‘So,’ he ventured, ‘it’s been a while.’

‘Indeed.  Moons have passed since we last met, battles fought and enemies fallen.  At the bridge of Anrag I took fifteen heads.  I overthrew the tyrant Dagrud War-Schythe and took his cattle as tribute to my skill.  It was a glorious day.’

‘Sounds pretty wild.  I’m having a new patio put down.  You and me both, eh?’

‘Square slabs or crazy paving?’

‘Square slabs.’

‘The choice of a warrior.’  Suruk picked up his pack, from which several short-handled spears protruded, and slung it over his shoulder.

I did chuckle quite loudly reading that.  And it pretty much sets it tone for the chunk of the book I have read so far.  Lots of derring-do and witty asides.  I think the book jacket is fantastic and I can see this turning into a very successful series.

Space Captain Smith is published by Myrmidon and is out in May (which means copies should start appearing in shops in a couple of weeks).

Comments

[Maria]

Sounds like a fun book!

[Fanton]

Oh my! This sounds like something that'll be right up my street.

My street in SPACE.

Thanks for the heads up, I'll be watching the shelves (or the skies) for this one.

[Stus]

It is enormously entertaining -- and I got my sweetie to read it too. She says it needs more hamster in it.